Renter's Guide to Fort Worth

Usually lumped in with its Metroplex counterpart Dallas, Fort Worth is a medium-sized city located in North Texas. Known for its Stockyards area (where real-life cattle drives happen daily!), it offers a refreshing taste of Texas, while still boasting plenty of big-city amenities and fun.Fort Worth is like any suburban city, only with hints of Texas country here and there. It boasts a bustling nightlife, top restaurants and shops, a great music scene and plenty of entertainment options for all ages. It’s also home to Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest honky tonk.Though you might think this country-sounding town is a small one, it’s actually the fifth-biggest city in the Lone Star State. Compared to Dallas, Fort Worth is only a few hundred thousand residents smaller. Houston, which boasts more than 2.1 million residents, is much larger in comparison. About 45 minutes from Dallas and 4 hours from Houston, it’s an easy drive to most major Texas cities from Fort Worth. Austin and San Antonio are also only a few hours’ jaunt away. There are two airports in the area – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. DFW is in nearby Grapevine, about 30 minutes away, and is the main hub for air travel in the area. Love Field is smaller, serving airlines like Southwest.Like most cities in Texas, Fort Worth experiences hot, long summers and very short winters. The average temperature in July (the hottest month of the year) is 96 degrees, while spring and fall hover in the 70s and 80s. Winters tend to average in the 40s and 50s, with sporadic ice and snowfall. It’s not uncommon for Fort Worth residents to have one or two “ice days” away from work, when the roads are too dangerous to drive on.

Fort Worth, TX Demographics

Total Population12,831

Female6,281

Male6,550

Median Age32.2

Cost of Living in Fort Worth, TX

Overall, Fort Worth offers a lower cost of living than many parts of the U.S. In fact, according to BestPlaces.net, costs of groceries and housing are also lower than average in the area.

Referred to as “the T,” the Fort Worth Public Transportation Authority offers bus service and commuter railway options. A one-way fare on a bus line ranges from $.85 to $5 each, or there are several longer-term pass options that can offer a more affordable choice. Seven-day bus passes range from $17.50 to $50, while monthly ones start at $30 and go up to $160. Reduced fares are available for senior citizens and students with a valid ID.

According to Numbeo, a meal for two people in a mid-range Fort Worth restaurant averages about $35, while a regular cappuccino will ring up at just over $3.50. Draft beers average $3 each, and a small soda is about $1.65.

For a 915-square foot apartment, Fort Worth residents pay about $124 a month for utilities, including electricity, water, heat, and garbage. This comes in nearly $20 cheaper than the national average.p>

Average Rent in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, TX Average Rental Price, February 2019$1,073/mo

Fort Worth, TX Apartment Rent Ranges

$501-$7009%

$701-$1,00044%

$1,001-$1,50037%

$1,501-$2,0008%

> $2,0002%

Fort Worth, TX Rent Trends

Average Rent

Jan / 2016

May / 2016

Sept / 2016

Jan / 2017

May / 2017

Sept / 2017

Jan / 2018

May / 2018

Feb / 2019

Fort Worth, TX

$930

$954

$977

$982

$1,017

$1,030

$1,029

$1,030

$1,073

National

$1,290

$1,319

$1,334

$1,329

$1,354

$1,366

$1,366

$1,381

$1,396

/

Average rent is projected to grow by 4% in 2018 compared to 2017.

Please note that projected rent growth is calculated at city level.

Average rent values on this page are aggregated from data from the following zip codes: 760207603676052761027610376104761057610676107761087610976110761117611276114761157611676118761197612076123761267612776129761317613276133761347613576137761407614876155761647617776179

Living in Fort Worth

Fort Worth offers a small-town feel while still boasting plenty of big-city amenities. Traffic is light, it’s easy to get to and from places, and the city is quite affordable, especially compared to Dallas. There are many pros to living in Fort Worth, including low traffic, plenty of dining and entertainment options, great schools and more. Jobs in Fort Worth, TX are also abundant, so for residents looking for new prospects, it’s a great place to move. In fact, in 2014, WalletHub even named it the No. 1 city in the nation to find a job.

But like any city, Fort Worth isn’t perfect. There are a few cons to living in the area, the major one being its crime rate. According to AreaVibes.com, the overall crime rate in the city is 40 percent higher than the national average. There are 11 daily crimes per every 100,000 people.Culture abounds in Fort Worth, the home of dozens of art, history, and science museums. It also boasts a robust music scene, with local venues hosting thousands of local, national and international musical acts of all kinds year round. There’s also the Fort Worth Opera, the Fort Worth Symphony and Casa Manana, which host plays and shows of all sorts. The main local newspaper serving the area is the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which boasts a circulation of just under 200,000.

Things to do in Fort Worth

Fort Worth is home to a number of different areas; there’s the young and hip West 7th section, the downtown area, the historic Stockyards, and the folksy Southside / Magnolia region. Each one offers a plethora of things to do and see. Downtown, Sundance Square is one of the top draws, boasting dozens of highly rated restaurants, live music, fun fountains for the kids to play in and more.

If you have kids, you’re in luck: There are loads of fun and exciting family attractions in this Texas town. One of the city’s biggest draws is the Fort Worth Zoo, which is home to hundreds of animals, including elephants, giraffes, rhinos, leopards and more. Other fun kid-friendly places include Main Event, the Fort Worth Children’s Museum, and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Fort Worth has plenty to offer couples, too. The Coyote Drive In movie theater offers a fun, throwback way to see current films, while the Fort Worth Symphony lets you dress to the nines and hear the city’s best musicians live and in concert. Bass Performance Hall also regular hosts Broadway plays, and Billy Bob’s is a great choice if dancing is more your speed. Joe T Garcia’s is one of the area’s most talked-about restaurants and offers a great date-night spot. The highly popular Rodeo Goat is another great choice, boasting premium burgers and a great patio.

If you’re on a budget, there are many free activities in Fort Worth, like the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. There you can have a picnic, enjoy the scenery and take in professionally curated trees, flowers and wildlife. The Historic Stockyards offer a number of free activities, including a twice-daily cattle drive, the Texas Trail of Fame and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

When it comes to annual events, it doesn’t get much better than the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Watch live calf-roping, bull riding and more, and ride on carnival rides to your heart’s content. The Main Street Arts Festival is also a big draw, as is the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival.

Parks & Shopping Venues in Fort Worth

The city of Fort Worth is home to loads of beautiful and well-maintained parks. The Fort Worth Water Gardens are a beautiful sight to see, as are the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. For some fun time with Fido, Z Bonz Dog Park is perfect, offering a small and large dog area, a swimming pond and tons of exercise and training tools for the pups. The park’s human counterpart, Z Boaz, offers trails and a disc golf course.

As for shopping, Fort Worth boasts two malls: Ridgmar Mall and Hulen Mall. Both have movie theaters on site, as well as several department stores, boutique shops, a food court and more. The University Park Village area also offers several shopping options, including a Kendra Scott store, an Apple store, an Anthropologie and a Banana Republic.

Employment & Economy in Fort Worth

The major industries in Fort Worth are oil/gas, healthcare and aerospace defense. Some of the biggest employers in the city include Lockheed Martin, American Airlines, Fort Worth ISD and Texas Health Resources. Several large companies have hubs in the area too, including Budweiser and Alcon, and there is much oil and gas exploration in the area, making jobs in this sector abundant.

Fort Worth, TX Households

Total Number of Households3,802

Family2,886

Non-family916

Children1,646

No Children2,156

Average People Per Household3.37

Median Household Income$39,052

Median Housing Costs Per Month$855

Education in Fort Worth

The city is served by the Fort Worth Independent School District, as well as a handful of other districts in the region. Several private schools, like Fort Worth Country Day School, are popular in the area, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts offers a place for students interested in music, theater or the arts. A number of colleges and universities are located within the city limits, including Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, and Tarrant County College.

There is also Remington College, which offers associates degrees in medical assisting, computer administration, criminal justice and graphic arts, and Columbia College, which offers varies business, computer science, arts, history and general studies programs.

Fort Worth, TX Education Statistics

No High School14%

Some High School50%

Some College22%

Associate Degree6%

Bachelor Degree5%

Graduate Degree3%

Tips for Renting in Fort Worth

Like other cities in Texas, Fort Worth tenants have the right to safe and hazard-free living, and landlords are responsible for making this happen. If landlords refuse to care for or properly maintain their properties according to city health and safety standards, tenants can take legal action. Landlords cannot retaliate (or evict) a tenant for taking legal action, either.

Before moving to Fort Worth, renters should familiarize themselves with the different areas of the city. Pricing and amenities vary greatly from area to area. Newer, more nightlife-filled neighborhoods (like West 7th, downtown or Magnolia for example), will be higher-priced than those closer to suburban neighborhoods and college campuses. The city offers something for every budget and preference.

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